Parallel flow evaporator with shaped manifolds

Abstract

In a parallel flow evaporator, the inlet manifold construction consists of alternating expansion and contraction chambers to promote homogeneous conditions of the refrigerant, as it flows longitudinally through the inlet manifold, as a result of partial evaporation (throttling) and mixing and jetting effects (due to velocity augmentation). In a preferred embodiment, the parallel channels are fluidly connected to the expansion chambers so as to receive a homogeneous refrigerant mixture therefrom. In one embodiment, the expansion and contraction chambers are progressively smaller in size toward a downstream end, so as to accommodate the diminishing refrigerant flow as it progresses longitudinally along the inlet manifold. In another embodiment, the outlet manifold also consists of a repetitive pattern of alternating expansion and contraction chambers, so as to balance the impedances of the inlet manifold. In still another embodiment, these chambers are progressively larger in size toward a downstream end of the outlet manifold. In yet another embodiment, the flow-mixing inserts are introduced into the contraction chambers to further promote homogeneous conditions within the manifold. As a result, maldistribution in the heat exchanger is avoided, resulting in system performance augmentation and compressor reliability enhancement.

1 . A parallel flow evaporator comprising: 
 an inlet manifold extending longitudinally and having an inlet opening for conducting the flow of a fluid into said inlet manifold and a plurality of outlet openings for conducting the flow of fluid transversely from said inlet manifold;    a plurality of channels aligned in substantially parallel relationship and fluidly connected to said plurality of outlet openings for conducting the flow of fluid from said inlet manifold; and    an outlet manifold fluidly connected to said plurality of said channels for receiving the flow of fluid therefrom;    wherein said inlet manifold consists of a longitudinally extending repetitive pattern of expansion and contraction chambers.    
   
   
       2 . A parallel flow evaporator as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said expansion and contraction chambers are collectively hour-glass shaped.  
   
   
       3 . A parallel flow evaporator as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said outlet openings are formed in said expansion chambers.  
   
   
       4 . A parallel flow evaporator as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said expansion chambers are progressively smaller toward a downstream end of said inlet manifold.  
   
   
       5 . A parallel flow evaporator as set forth in  claim 1  wherein contraction chambers are progressively smaller toward a downstream end of said inlet manifold.  
   
   
       6 . A parallel flow evaporator as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said outlet manifold consists of a longitudinally extending repetitive pattern of expansion and contraction chambers.  
   
   
       7 . A parallel flow evaporator as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said outlet manifold expansion chambers are progressively larger toward a downstream end of said outlet manifold.  
   
   
       8 . A parallel flow evaporator as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said outlet manifold contraction chambers are progressively larger toward a downstream end of said outlet manifold.  
   
   
       9 . A parallel flow evaporator as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said contraction chambers of said inlet manifold are equipped with flow-mixing devices.  
   
   
       10 . A parallel flow heat exchanger of the type having an inlet manifold extending longitudinally and fluidly interconnected to an outlet manifold by a plurality of parallel channels for conducting the flow of the first fluid therethrough and adapted for having a second fluid circulated thereover for purposes of exchange of heat between the two fluids; 
 wherein said inlet manifold is formed of a plurality of alternately disposed expansion and contraction chambers.    
   
   
       11 . A parallel flow heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said inlet manifold is hour-glass shaped in longitudinal cross-section.  
   
   
       12 . A parallel flow heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said plurality of parallel channels are fluidly connected to said expansion chambers.  
   
   
       13 . A parallel flow heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said expansion chambers are progressively smaller toward a downstream end of said inlet manifold.  
   
   
       14 . A parallel flow heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said contraction chambers are progressively smaller toward a downstream end of said inlet manifold.  
   
   
       15 . A parallel flow heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said outlet manifold is formed of alternating expansion chambers and contraction chambers.  
   
   
       16 . A parallel flow heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said outlet manifold is hour-glass shaped.  
   
   
       17 . A parallel flow heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said expansion chambers are fluidly connected to said channels.  
   
   
       18 . A parallel flow heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said expansion chambers are progressively larger toward a downstream end of said outlet manifold.  
   
   
       19 . A parallel flow heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said contraction chamber are progressively larger toward a downstream end of said outlet manifold.  
   
   
       20 . A parallel flow heat exchanger as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said contraction chambers of said inlet manifold are equipped with flow-mixing devices.